Workers are too busy to take tea breaks

Workers are taking fewer tea breaks, often fearing their bosses will think they are slacking off, according to a new survey.

A survey of 2,000 workers found almost half were too busy to stop for a cuppa at work and one in four believed they were not allowed to have a break.

And one in five said they take fewer tea breaks in a typical day than they did five years ago.

The survey by Tetley also revealed that two out of five bosses never make a round of hot beverages for their staff with men more likely to secretly make themselves a brew to avoid getting a round in for colleagues.

The average office worker drinks at least four cuppas a day with advertising staff drinking the most tea, while people doing administration roles have the fewest, the research revealed.

Fewer tea breaks reflect the increasing pressure people feel they are under at work.

Whereas in the past taking a tea break was seen as a valuable social activity in the office, it is now beginning to be seen as an unnecessary indulgence and waste of productive work time.

Yet research has indicated time and time again that striking a balance by taking short breaks during the working day increases people’s productivity and creativity.

Efficiency Software’s solutions; AltMOUSE and CtrlWORK offer the dual benefit of reducing the risk of workstation discomfort while increasing productivity.

AltMOUSE helps each employee become 20 minutes per day more efficient by improving their computer skills with no downtime while they learn. Returns are seen inside a month and mouse use is reduced by 50% in the same period.

CtrlWORK reminds employees to take breaks from intense computer usage using friendly, user-tailored reminders and by providing feedback on working habits. Taking regular breaks before tiredness and fatigue set in results in higher levels of concentration and fewer mistakes being made. Taking breaks from intense computer work is a key requirement of the Health & Safety Executive’s DSE regulations.